Consumer Reports Detergents test

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jt1985

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The results are in the July issue:

Conventional (Top 10)
2x Ultra Tide Coldwater
2x Ultra Tide with Dawn Stainscrubbers
2x Ultra Tide with Downy
2x Ultra Era with Oxi Booster
Tide TotalCare
2x Ultra Tide with Bleach Alternative (reformulated)
2x Ultra Gain with Bleach Alternative
Tide with Bleach Powder
2x Ultra Cheer for Darks
2x Ultra Cheer with BrightClean Bleach Alternative

High Efficiency (Top 10)
2x Ultra Tide with Bleach Alternative HE
2x Ultra Tide Original HE
2x Ultra All with Oxi Active Stainlifters
Ultra Gain Original Fresh Powder HE
Up & Up Fresh Breeze HE (Target)
Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly 2x Ultra HE (Costco)
Seventh Generation Natural Powder HE
2x Ultra Gain Original Fresh HE
Amway Legacy of Clean SA8 Premium with Bioquest HE
Kirkland Signature Free & Clear 2x Ultra HE (Costco)
 
Of those, the only one I use is the Kirkland Environmentally Friendly HE liquid.

I use it on bath towels because it leaves a softer finish than powders, and has a nice lavender fragrance.

I don't think it cleans as well as a phosphated powder, though.
 
Not even a mention of the Mexican brands.
FOCA (with phosphates) would have beaten them all hands-down, and so would VIVA a few years ago when it still contained phosphates. Getting harder and harder to find.
 
You are right. We use FOCA now as our daily driver detergent. We are very happy with the results. But we are on our last bag of FOCA with phosphates. All Walmart has on hand now is the phosphate free version.
 
Thanks, John

I don't understand why TIDE HE powder is not mentioned, but GAIN powder HE is. I've never even seen it.

Did the report mention anything about why the liquids foam so much in the rinses or say anything about how well any of them rinses out?
 
My cheap favorites are Ultra Tandil (Aldi) with Bleach Alternative liquid and powder Ultra Plus (Sears). Where did they place on the list? I will probably try some of the Cold Water Tide the next time I need some.
 
I'm SHOCKED!!

Oxi ERA..on a Top Ten List? I'll definitely have to try that formula.

I also noticed that the non-HE version of 2X Tide liquid or the powder didn't make the list.
 
Sears Ultra Plus

It finished #16 on the HE list with a score of 46. It costs 9 cents per load. Aldi's Tandil wasn't on the list.

The worst performers in conventional:

Xtra Lasting ScentSations Spring Sun Shine
Biokleen Cold Water 3x Concentrated
Dynamo Ultra
Martha Stewart Clean

The worst in HE:

Oxydol 2x Fresh & Clean
Biokleen Cold Water 3x
Ecos 2x Lily and Magnolia
Martha Stewart Clean

We carry Gain HE powder, Era HE at my Walmart. I was shocked to see both Era Oxi Booster and All Oxi Active Stainlifters in the top lists.
 
I remember a segment on a morning show here recently with Martha Stewart hocking her "Clean" brand and how well it works because it has her name on it. I guess she didn't pay CU enough under the table to get a better rating.
 
I've started using my old supply of phosphated Ariel in the Neptune to clean my work clothes. Oversudsing is not a problem since the metal cutting coolant we use at work has plenty of foam suppressant, and some of it inevitably splashes on the clothes. I also have some FOCA in storage that I will start using when the Ariel runs out. I notice that it's getting harder to find phosphated Ariel; but the FOCA and ROMA are still on the shelves of local Mexican and Asian groceries. Also have an ample supply of STPP stashed away to continue to boost the Sears HE Plus powder.

I use an old box of Gain HE powder as a linen closet fragrance source, lol.
 
Martha Stewart "Clean"

Cleans as well as water alone. Wow. I suppose that there is a way that something could actually clean worse than water alone. Perhaps some of its cleaning power was derived from the superior product *any product* left in the machine from the prior load.

After I did my repairs this weekend, I ran a cycle with no clothes or detergent to make sure there were no leaks. There was foam around the top of the inside tub after the final spin. Somehow, I must be using too much detergent, even though I use very little. My repairs included replacing the pump, so I know there was little or no residual water in the machine when that cycle started. I'm going to go powder only for a little while and see if that cuts some of that.
 
Dear Procter & Gamble,

Re: Liquid Tide With Bleach Alternative (non-HE version)

When you reformulate a detergent, TRY TO MAKE THE PRODUCT BETTER, NOT WORSE. While you're at it, how about giving us a detergent that doesn't require six rinses when used in softened water. And clean your room, it's a mess!!

Hugs,
Frigilux
 
I have been advised by a few people now, that the Coldwater Tide does a very good job in either warm or hot water. I am also advised it can be quite sudzy. I think I will try some just to see. I'll throw it into the Kelvinator and see just how sudzy it will get!

My favorite cheapie brand has been the FAB powder I get at the Dollar General stores. It cleans surprisingly well.

I am so glad to have plenty of phosphated Viva, FOCA and, Finnish Dishwasher detergent set by.
Nonetheless, the next time John orders Phosphates, I'll get some to just to prepare for battle.

I've already called all the manufacturers "hotlines" and raised-hell over the lack of phosphates----but of course, they couldn't care less.

Ross, I'm curious if any of you guys in the "border states" can still find phosphated "Paloma"?
It is the bomb detergent for towels. It has a fragrance like the old Cashmere Bouquet hand soap and leaves towels smelling wonderful! If anybody finds it LOAD-UP quick before they take out the phosphates! Venus found some for me over in Texas a few years ago, but hasn't been found since. It's great stuff!
 
Has Nothing To Do With Manufacturers of Detergents

Most saw the handwriting on the wall with many states moving to ban phosphates in dishwasher detergents, and decided it wasn't worth the bother.

In the early years of the state by state phosphate ban for domestic laundry products, many detergent makers had either different plants or ran separate production for non-phosphate versus those that contained the stuff. This lead to the famous disclaimer on many detergent packages stating "this product does not contain phosphates, other than trace amounts...." However as the nature of business changed, such production proved too costly, and phosphates were totally removed.

Even Calgon stopped making two different versions to save production and distribution costs.

There was a serious chance the US Congress was going to act and ban phosphates in dishwasher detergents, so again businesses just got proactive.
 
Steve---

Tide ColdWater works very well in warm water, but unlike Tony Curtis, does not like it hot . I tried that a couple of times with loads of kitchen whites, and stains which were removed in temp-controlled cold or warm water were not removed as well.
 
Gyrafoam:

The Fab that you found at Dollar General..is it the older Colgate-Palmolive kind or the newer Phoenix Brands version?

Also, does anyone know what the verdict is on Tide Basic? Is it going to be distributed nationwide?
 
Spring Magic and Rain Forest are Colgate-Palmolive.
Bold Infusions is Phoenix Brands.

Either way, for cheap detergent, they do a very good job IMO.
 
The misinformation on the subject of phosphates and laundry detergents is amazing.

For example, the eHOw website asserts:

"Modern laundry detergents no longer contain phosphates due to a ban passed in 1993.... Prior to the ban, laundry detergents frequently contained between 30 and 50 percent phosphate builders. Intense debate among environmentalists, detergent manufacturers, and government officials began in the 1960s, and Congress enacted a ban that effectively removed phosphates from laundry detergents in 1993. "

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6006821_detergent-high-phosphate-level_.html

In point of fact, as far as I have been able to determine, Congress has NEVER passed a national ban on phosphates in laundry detergents, period. Instead limits of phosphates are enacted on a state and local basis. This is why it's still perfectly legal to buy and use phosphated laundry detergents in arid states like California, Nevada, Arizona, etc, where the primary water pollutant of concern is nitrates, not phosphates.

Now, the laundry detergent industry has voluntarily removed phosphates from just about every major brand of laundry detergents, with generally regrettable results. That it is now considering doing this for dishwasher detergents is even more regrettable, since the non-phosphated substitutes appear to be even less efficacious than non-phosphated laundry detergents are for cleaning fabrics.

I very much doubt that Congress would seriously consider banning phosphates in dishwasher detergents under these circumstances, especially in light of the fact that it has never banned them in laundry detergents. The detergent manufacturing industry, however, in its continuous corner cutting, no doubt will welcome the opportunity to voluntarily remove practically all phosphates from dishwasher detergents so that it doesn't have to package two different types. Of course, most of these same manufacturers seems to have absolutely no problem with offering a bewildering variety of dishwasher detergents anyway, with catchy names like "Complete", "Advanced", etc etc etc.

PURE BULLSH!T
 
A Bill Was In Congress To Ban Phosphates In Dishwasher Deter

Nationwide. As to if such a bill would have become law, that is anyone's guess. But given the Democratic party lead by Pelosi and Reid having a field day with every crack-pot,liberal, bleeding heart democratic idea that has been floating around Washington D.C. for ages, but never could get to see the light of day becoming law or a rule, there was a risk.

Sixteen states have banned phosphates in automatic dishwasher detergents. Though that is a small number, there is no telling where it would all end, and as you say manufacturers aren't keen on producing different variations for phosphate and and non-phosphate markets.

Consider also Target, Walmart, and other national chains with huge buying power that can throw their weight around. Walmart in particular was probably not willing to go through the nightmare of purchasing and distributing different versions of dishwasher detergent based upon phosphate content and state laws.

Perhaps ten, twenty or more years ago when detergent manufacturers such as P&G and Colgate had regional plants that could produce amounts tailored to the local market, whipping up two different detergents based upon phosphate content made sense. However that is not the case today.

Even commercial detergent makers such as Ecolab are starting to move away from phosphates as states such as New York are now banning the substance in some commercial products as well.
 
P.S.

Many parts of Canada are moving to nationwide bans on phosphates in the coming months. Since many US detergents as well as other products are produced for the entire North American market (Mexico, USA and Canada), there is yet another push to remove phosphates.
 
Why is Dynamo so bad?

I got a bottle of Dynamo and one of Ajax. I haven't try none of it yet, but I like the fresh smell.
Ingemar
 
Did CR mention anything about rinsing or don't they care? I've tried He Tide products serveral times during this decade and they all produced thick suds that are difficult to rinse out of the clothes. It cleans but if it won't rinse well I can't use it.
 
A few notes:

The FAB that I can find here in Charlotte is all made by Phoenix Brands. There are four scents, the three older ones plus the new Bold Infusions. I have had good results with the powder, but haven't tried liquid. The powders seem to rinse nice and clear in Charlotte's semi-soft water. It's also inexpensive and is often buy-one-get-one at a local grocery store for $3.99 for a 32-load package.

As to Tide, specifically the Cold-water variant: I use that when I am using a washer in my test area and have it connected to garden hose water, which of course is cold. I have it in liquid and powder. Great results, but NEVER wash towels with it. It's highly sudsy as others say, and towels just froth it up and it takes two or more rinses to get rid of.

Gordon
 
Jerrod--Consumer Reports tests detergents in moderately hard water, so they probably don't have clean-rinsing issues.

My water softener malfunctioned once, and I washed several loads of laundry in hard water using liquid Tide HE. The suds were completely gone by the 2nd of 3 rinses in my Frigidaire front-loader.
 
They didnt mention anything about rinsing. They love liquids though. One thing that I have noticed in this report and in past detergent reports is the fact that they dont test Tide HE Powder or even Tide Original Powders. I would love to see them test German Persil powder and liquids. I dont take what CU says as gospel and find that alot of the test reports kinda lacking. This issue had dryers in it as well. No Speed Queens to be seen in the report. They do like the LG dryers....
 
i take that test with a grain of salt!!!! are you kidding me i cant use high sudsing detergents i have sensitive skin and i usually by default almost give everything a second rinse. i use arm and hammer or All they dont get me going rash city LOL. tide, gain, era, i only use if there HE formulas and then i can stand them and still keep on my with my 2nd rinse option on the kenmore i hate suds!!!!
 

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